Highland Wildlife Park Experiences Baby Boom During Lockdown

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: June 3, 2020 9:21 pm

Photo Credit: Highland Wildlife Park

While everyone else has been relaxing in isolation the animals at Highland Park Zoo in the United Kingdom, have been taking the opportunity to welcome their babies in to the world away from prying eyes.

Recently the team at Highland Park Zoo has welcomed a mammoth number of babies to their family. Their family has grown by 14 new arrivals including seven Turkmenian markhor kids, one Bukhara deer calf, two forest reindeer calves, three Japanese macaque babies and one Przewalski’s horse foal.

While all the births are important those of the Przewalski’s horse and reindeer are extra special as these species are listed as vulnerable or endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

At present none of the youngsters have been named with keepers looking forward to deciding these and sharing them soon.

Video Credit: Highland Wildlife Park

Keepers at the zoo have been sharing the babies with the public through video since you cannot currently visit them in person.

Keith Gilchrist, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said, “We are currently closed to the public but our keepers have been kept busy with all the new arrivals and are continuing to give our amazing animals the best of care.”

It is expected that the baby boom is not over as Gilchrist explained, “We think there are more babies on the way and are keeping our fingers crossed for bison calves as our herd plays an important role in supporting reintroduction efforts for the species in mainland Europe.”

Like many zoos around the world, Highland Wildlife Park is currently closed to visitors. Gilchrist explained that “it costs £6,000 a month for (their) food bill alone.” Without visitation to cover these costs they are looking for assistance to cover this.

If you want to help them with these costs visit – highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/help

You can learn more about Highland Wildlife Park here – Highland Wildlife Park Website